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First half goals blitz helps Town back to winning ways
A FIRST half goal blitz helped Whitby Town return to winning ways on Saturday against crisis club Burscough.
Karl Charlton came close early on, firing just over from the edge of the area, but Town soon found the target and led inside eight minutes.
Skipper Tony Hackworth turned inside one defender before curling expertly past goalkeeper Richard Whiteside from just inside the Burscough box.
However, Town's top scorer pulled up as he celebrated his 14th of the season, which was to be a mere cameo – the ex-Leeds man limping off with defender Kevin Burgess his replacement.
The match was effectively won during a three minute spell halfway through the first period when Whitby netted twice.
First, Ged Dalton doubled the lead with another swerving effort from 18 yards, and within moments, it was three when Andy Leeson exchanged passes with Dalton before finishing superbly from just behind the right-edge of the six yard box, sending the ball across Whiteside and into the far corner.
The Linnets, who were in the High Court just three days earlier over unpaid tax, had lost just three of 16 past outings but that looked a distant record as Whitby went four goals ahead.
Leeson, relishing a more attacking role, did well again, chasing a long ball to the byline and cutting back for Jimmy Beadle to head home unchallenged six minutes before the break.
Gary McEvatt's speculative shot from 20 yards two minutes into the game was the only remote threat to Dave Campbell's goal from the visitors.
The 39-year-old stopper likely wasted more effort changing from yellow to black pre-match due to a clash of colours between the two keepers.
Campbell continued his Mr Benn act, emerging in the second half with an all-silver kit, but it wasn't to get any dirtier than its pristine predecessors.
Alex Grisdale and former Marine striker Tommy Taylor replaced McEvatt and Paul Lloyd nine minutes in, and just after, captain Dave Roberts skidded a shot just wide.
Keeper Campbell finally had his first proper save to make on the hour when Darren Brookfield, often a thorn in Town's side for Marine alongside Peter Cumiskey, looped a free-kick over Whitby's defensive wall but flighted nicely for the experienced stopper to clutch low to his right.
The popular gloveman was previously reduced to turning encroaching forwards as they charged down his clearances for entertainment.
The Blues' remaining strikers were showing a similiar lack of creativity at the other end, though Charlton chipped into the side netting on 65 minutes after a mazy run.
Dalton was certainly having a few of those against Burscough's nervy defence. Marc Dermott was lucky to escape even a booking after two weighty challenges.
Then Lyth jumped in with an equally-strong studs up tackle, though did at least get the ball.
The Blues' stand-in skipper then joined the man he replaced on the sidelines after a thigh strain saw him make way for youngster Shaun Lambert, on his first outing of the season.
Already missing Hackworth with his earlier groin injury as well as fellow forward Andy Campbell, the sight of Dalton staying down on the byline two minutes from time was less than welcome for Dunn and Town.
After the former Carlisle man was helped off by the physio, another injury victim, Leon Scott, made a welcome return.
Scott, who had been away for three weeks with an ankle problem, stated afterwards: "It felt okay and I can't wait for Wednesday's game."
Co-operative Whitby WTFC Man Of The Match: Ged Dalton
Whitby Town: D Campbell, Lyth (Lambert 74), A Gildea, Hassan, Ingram, Leeson, Dalton (Scott 88), Charlton, Hackworth (c) (Burgess 9), Beadle, Yale. Subs not used: Hanson, Escritt. Attendance: 291
Match sponsor: The Bay Hotel, Robin Hood's Bay.
Matchball sponsor: Ian Curry
Whitby Town 4 Burscough 0
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Weather for Whitby
Saturday 11 February 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: -0 C to 1 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: South west
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 3 C to 5 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: North west
